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Nursery at Holy Family Catholic Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily outdoor access for the youngest children and dinosaur-inspired play for older nursery children give Holy Family’s provision its character. There are two nursery groups within the Catholic academy in Platt Bridge: the 2 Year Old Nursery has a maximum of 16 children at each session, while the 3 Year Old Nursery has 26. These are session capacities, rather than a total nursery roll.
The younger group occupies a building separate from the main school, near its main entrance. Both groups belong to the Early Years Unit. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025; that judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play supplies the starting point. Children explore indoor and outdoor classrooms, with their interests helping staff decide what to provide. In the older nursery, an enthusiasm for dinosaurs can shape planned activities. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here means activities suit children’s developmental stage, with learning through exploration alongside tasks guided by adults.
Outdoor learning is a daily option for the younger group, whose children have continuous access to its outdoor provision. Adult-led activities are introduced over time, working towards learning goals for each nursery each half term. Children can then revisit that learning through the activities and resources around them. This gives the day a balance between pursuing an interest and practising something introduced by an adult.
Read Write Inc begins in the 3-year-old nursery. Picture cards introduce initial sounds, and Fred Talk Games bring sound learning into play. Familiar stories matter for younger children too: in February 2025, children in the two-year-old provision participated enthusiastically in stories they knew. Early years children also learnt to share and wait for their turn, giving social learning a place alongside language development.
Adult interaction. In February 2025, early years children generally achieved well, but staff expertise was uneven. Some exchanges during play missed chances to develop vocabulary and extend children’s thinking. This is a material consideration for families weighing the language support their child needs.
Settling involves parents. Staff in the older nursery work with families to help children adjust, while observations across the Early Years Unit inform planning and help identify where support may be needed. EvidenceMe is used for some observations; parents contribute information about learning at home through Class Dojo. Meet the Teacher, Parent Drop-in sessions, Early Years Open Week and Parent Review Day provide opportunities for discussion across the year.
Links with the Early Years SEND Team provide a route to additional support. In February 2025, additional needs were identified promptly from the early years onwards. Reasonable adjustments enable disabled children to participate in nursery life. Families with a health care need must complete a Health Care Plan and share it with their child’s class teacher, so care information reaches the staff responsible.
Meals are cooked on site. Children can choose a sandwich or one of two hot dishes, and parents can make the lunch selection instead. The Summer Term menu follows a three-week rotation. For families, that combines a cooked-meal option with a choice over what their child eats.
Attending Holy Family’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery entry and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions route by the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as separate decisions.
Flexible sessions are offered, and the Early Years Unit accepts 30 hours childcare codes. Both nursery groups finish at 3pm. Ask the school for current charges, including nursery meals.
Early years uniform includes a blue polo shirt, a red jumper or cardigan, black shoes and grey bottoms, with skirt, pinafore and blue summer-dress options. Non-branded items can be bought from supermarkets. Jewellery is prohibited.
For nursery enquiries, call 01942 704148 or email office@holyfamily.sjcmat.co.uk. Visits to see the Early Years Unit in use are welcomed, giving families a practical opportunity to see its indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
The Early Years Unit takes children from age 2, with separate 2 Year Old Nursery and 3 Year Old Nursery groups.
The maximum is 16 in the younger nursery and 26 in the older nursery at each session.
Children in the 3-year-old nursery begin Read Write Inc through picture cards for initial sounds and Fred Talk Games. Younger children also join in with familiar stories.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the relevant deadline.
Staff work with parents to support settling in the older nursery. Families can share home learning through Class Dojo and discuss progress through events including Parent Drop-in sessions and Parent Review Day.
